Texas A&M back-up quarterback Jameill Showers, who had the misfortune to get stuck behind current NFL quarterback Ryan Tannehill and then Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel with the Aggies, is coming to UTEP this July and will be immediately eligible to compete for the starting job this season.
"I liked everything about UTEP," said Showers, who will be a third-year junior this fall and is on track oto earn his undergraduate degree from A&M in June. That leaves him immediately eligible to play. "It was nice, seeing the trust with the coaches. I love the facilities, I love the fan base, it's far enough away from home (Killeen) that I can concentrate on football, concentrate on school and nothing else."
Showers was a top recruit out of Killeen but obviously ended up behind some stars at A&M. Last season, as the Aggies' No. 2 behind the freshman Manziel, he played in seven games, completing 27-of-44 passes for 319 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
He will work toward a graduate degree at UTEP. Miner coaches can't comment on him yet.
"I'm ready to show what I can do," said Showers, who expects to get a UTEP playbook in the mail in the next day or two. "It's long overdue. (The chance to play) is the reason I left A&M."
As for coach Sean Kugler, "He's one of the main reasons I committed. I have a lot of respect for him."
He will join a depth chart that includs senior Carson Meger, sophomore Blaire Sullivan, second-year freshman Garrett Simpson and true freshman Mack Leftwich in what should be a wide-open quarterback battle.
Man are we going to be loaded at QB. Wish we had that kind of depth at some of the defensive positions.
Posted by: Canaima | 02/26/2013 at 08:12 PM
The football Gods have blessed UTEP. There aren't any quality QBs currently in the program. Meger's a nice kid, but should've never been a college QB. He should've been shuffled to a wide-out or defensive back capacity in his freshmen year.
Since Shower's was recruited under Mike Sherman @ A&M, and was Tannerhill's backup, he's likely a pro-style straight drop-back QB. Andrew Luck is/was the same type of QB.
I think Kugs alluded to his desire to run a pro-style offense when he was hired, so he's probably jumping for joy. This could workout! Especially in CUSA, where the already water downed defenses are geared to defend the spread and pistol offenses. A good offensive line and strong running game could propel UTEP to at least the title game and a bowl.
Gosh I hope he runs a 1 & 2 back pro-set with double tightends. Also hope he has a fullback in a 4-point stance, or 3-point with his knuckle in the ground. I hate gimmicky offenses like the spread and pistol.
Posted by: Pascal Fortran | 02/27/2013 at 07:02 AM
I watched Showers play in trash time last season, and he has a cannon for an arm--great velocity and accuracy. UTEP is fortunate to get this QB.
Posted by: gofast | 02/27/2013 at 10:17 AM
So, what happened to Ryan Metz?
Posted by: Jim Maynard | 02/27/2013 at 11:53 AM
Ryan metz is not going to play quarterback at utep maybe a wide out
Posted by: Patrick Gutierrez | 02/27/2013 at 12:19 PM
Kugler has already brought in a better recruited QB in two months than Price did in 8 years!!! Awesome!! Ryan Metz will get reshirted, he's not gonna play for a couple of seasons.
Posted by: Paydirt Pedro | 02/27/2013 at 12:35 PM
This is huge for El Paso and UTEP.
Meger should be a steady back-up or fill-in due to injury due to his previous experience. Sullivan should be moved to receiver or tight end to take advantage of his running ability so he can contribute on the field this season -- not eat up eligiblity on the bench.
Simpson and Leftwich can fight it out for who will be the third stringer or scout team QB. My guess is that Leftwich will get redshirted for future development and save eligibility.
Metz will receive a gray shirt which will give him plenty of time to get stronger (he's needs to pack on 20lbs of muscle realistically) and learn the college system. Metz and Leftwich are the QBs of the future and can learn a lot from new QB Showers and Coach Kugler.
Posted by: JAT | 02/27/2013 at 01:39 PM
I'm sure QB Showers has that November date against A&M already circled. That's going to be emotional for him.
Posted by: JAT | 02/27/2013 at 01:44 PM
"I'm ready to show what I can do," said Showers, who expects to get a UTEP playbook in the mail in the next day or two.
I hope that playbook doesn't fall into the wrong roommate's hands. Not that A&M would need it to beat us later this year. Just saying.
Posted by: JAT | 02/27/2013 at 02:01 PM
QB's can play at several positions. It is good to have that depth. 2 a days should be interesting. Sullivan will be hard to move out.
Posted by: Andy Springer | 02/27/2013 at 02:48 PM